Durham burglary: Men forced rings off elderly woman's fingers

Police said a group of men ransacked the vulnerable woman's home, demanded money and stole jewellery

An elderly woman has been injured after burglars prised rings off her fingers, demanded money and ransacked her home.

The men entered the property near St Catherine's Church, New Brancepeth, County Durham, between 15:00 GMT on Friday and 09:00 on Saturday.

The woman, aged in her 80s and in poor health, suffered wounds to her fingers after her rings were ripped off.

Police in Durham want anyone who has CCTV, dashcam footage or information about the jewellery, to contact them.

Officers said the men demanded cash from the woman, ransacked the bedrooms and emptied drawers, before fleeing the property.

Det Sgt Clare Riley, from Durham Constabulary, said the force said it "needed to track down the people responsible as quickly as possible".

"If anyone saw anything suspicious in the area at that time, particularly if they have CCTV or dashcam footage showing a group of men in the area of the church between those hours, they should come forward urgently," she added.

Det Sgt Riley urged anyone who has been offered jewellery for sale, particularly rings, to contact the force.